Machine for splicing inner tubes



y 1951 M. L. ENGLER l- AL 2,562,540

MACHINE FOR SPLICING INNER TUBES Original Filed Aug. 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 GJ MJ 1 5 A M J M 7 ,WENTORS Fig. 7 8 Mqx L. Engler Robert M. mrmalol BY MZfiZ-KW ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. L. ENGLER ETAL MACHINE FOR SPLICING INNER TUBES 3 5 f 4 6 3 a 8 a 00 a J a 5 4 a 5 m o 9 "A B 6 Z P 6 hTTuuhHufi-HW 0 Z 6 v a 9 5 6 5 4 r 3 o 66 a a 4 r n 2 M N 5 7 A r 7 5 7 "I I- 4 4 0 w 5 w 9 5 4 7 6 July 31, 1951 Original Filed Aug. 23, 1946 INVENTORS Max L. Engler Robert M. mrmald BY am 7;; a ATTORNEYS y 1951 M. L. ENGLER EI'AL 2,562,540

, mcnms FOR spucmc INNER TUBES Original Filed Aug. 23, l46 5 Sheeis-Sheet 3 I Max L. E ler Robert M. Wormalol BY M7 72 ATTORN July 31, 1951 M. 1.. ENGLER ETAL momma FOR spucmc INNER mass 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 23, 1946 w m r a 5 w xwm J .1 LM/M ae Mm July 1951 M. ENGLER ETAL MACHINE FOR SPLICING INNER TUBES Original Filed Aug. 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Max L. Engler Robert M.mrmald ATTORNEYS Parented Jul 31, 1951 MACHINE FOB SPLICING INNER TUBES MaxleoEnglerandBobertM.Wormaid,Akron, Ohio, aasignors to The General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron. Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application August 23, 1946, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 19, 1949, Serial No. 82,425

2: Claims. (01. 154-0) This invention relates to a machine for splicing inner tubes of vulcanizable material prior to vulcanization, the machine being particularly useful for splicing tubes made of material such as butyl rubber which is less tacky and more fluent under pressure than natural rubber, the present application being a division of our application Serial No. 692,468, filed August 23, 1946 for Method and Apparatus for Splicing Inner Tubes.

Because of the fact that butyl rubber is softer and less adhesive than natural rubber, great diiilcultyhas been experienced in making satisfactory splices between the ends of an inner tube prior to vulcanization. Tube splicing machines such as those which have been designed for the splicing of tubes made of natural rubber have'not been satisfactory for butyl rubber tubes because they distort the tube at the splice due to excessive flow of the rubber under pressure and in addition many splices prove to be defective because of poor adhesion between the tube ends.

The present invention has for an obiect to provide a machine for splicing tubes by means of which good adhesion may be obtained between the ends of a butyl rubber inner tube without distortion of the tube at the splice.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which is of simple construction, which is convenient to operate and which is so designed that a substantial pressure may be applied to the rubber at the splice and maintained for a substantial time interval without distortion or weakening of the walls of the tube adiacent the splice.

Reference should be had-to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in

which: v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an inner tube to be spliced;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of once! the tube ends viewed as indicated at i: in Fig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a press for forcing the ends of the tube into full contact;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the grippers of a splicing machine designed to apply and maintain sufiicient pressure upon the abutting ends of a tube to cause the ends to firmly adhere together;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line indicated at 5-5 in Fig. 4, showing the gripper bars in the position which they occupy before pressure is applied;

2 to which the gripper bars are moved to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends at the splice:

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line indicated at 1-4 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation oi the splicing machine;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the splicing machine;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the clamping platens;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line indicated at il-ii in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the lower platen and the tube gripping bars mounted thereon;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the stop and timer control switches that are associated with the actuating mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line indicated at li-il in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the main atop switch on a somewhat enlarged scale;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the cycle of operation, and

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram of the motor control circuit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a tube A to be spliced has its ends I: and 0 cut in planes at right angles to the length of the tube to provide square, clean ends for adhesive contact. The tube is flattened transversely as shown in Fig. 2 prior to the cutting of the ends b and c. After the cutting operation the ends b and c are placed in contact and the tube ends are pressed between a bed I and a platen 2 so as to completely flatten the ends of the tube and bring the abutting edges into full contact throughout the width of the flattened tube.

After the initial pressing operation illustrated in Fig. 3, the tube ends are engaged by a pair of upper gripping bars I and l which have thin flanges 5 and 6 projecting from their opposing edges and forming part of the gripping faces of the two bars. The flanges 5 and 6 provide a recess between the bars 3 and l in which is mounted a gap closing bar I which bridges the gap between the flanges 5 and 6. The under sides of the tube ends are engaged by gripping bars I and 1 similar to the bars 3 and i which have flanges II and Ii corresponding to flanges 5 and 6. A second gap closing bar I! is mounted in the recess formed by the flanges HI and H and bridges the space betwen the edges of the flanges II and II. The gap closing bars I and i2 pref- Fig. 6 is a section like Fig.5 showing position erably are made of brass to reduce frictional resistance with the steel flanges 5. 4, II and ii. The gap closing bars have small V-shaped grooves la and I24 extending centrally along the length of each. The tube gripping faces of the flanges 5, 4, II and II preferably are sharply knurled as shown at It in Fig. 4 to provide more effective gripping of the tube and prevent slippage of the tube ends.

with the two flattened tube ends firmly gripped between the bars 3 and I and 4 and 9 as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, gripping pressure is applied for a time interval sufilcient to permit the knurling I! to sink somewhat into the faces of the tube to improve the grip on the tube ends after which the two pairs of gripping bars are moved, one pair toward the other while the gripping pressure is maintained to apply endwise pressure to the abutting tube ends, as shown in Fig. 6. This movement pushes the gripped portions of the tube toward each other until the tube material at the splice contacts the confining walls. The bars I and I! are held against the flanges 5 and i and II and I during this movement so that the lateral flow of rubber is confined to the very limited space provided between the edges of the thin flanges. In order to prevent lateral flow of rubber from the splice at the opposite side edges of the tubes, blocks of sponge rubber l4 are inserted between the tube gripp r bars and against opposite side edges of the tube A. These blocks of rubber which bridge the space between the two pairs of grippers when compressed between the grlpper bars press inwardly against the opposite side edges of the tube and prevent spreading of the edge portions of the tube due to lateral flow of rubber. If two or more tubes are spliced in the machine at the same time, their side edges are placed together and the rubber blocks i4 are used only on the outer edges of the outer tubes.

With the tube A confined between the gripper bars and the rubber blocks l4, pressure" is maintained on the tube ends for a substantial time internal sumcient to cause the tube ends to firmly adhere so that subsequent vulcanization will cause complete Joining of the rubber at the splice.

The operations above described are preferably performed in a tube splicing machine such as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12 which has a supporting frame It and a fiat table or bed It which provides support for the inner tubes while they are being spliced. A lower elongated platen II is supported in fixed horizontal position a short distance above the table It. the pl ten I! being rigidly attached at its inner end to a standard II that is a rigid part of the machine frame and that extends above the table ll. A carriage II is slidably mounted for vertical movement on the standard ll above the platen I1 and an upper platen 24 is pivoted at its irmer end to the carriage I! to swing vertically. The carriage i4 is suspended at the lower end of a coil spring 2! which is connected at its upper end to a vertically adjustable screw 12 mounted in a bracket 23 attached to the standard II. The spring 2| serves to yieldably support the carriage II in an elevated position where the platen It is supported in a position far enough above the platen H to provide convenient clear ance for insertion of a tube to be spliced, or removal of a spliced tube.

The standard ll supports an upper framework 24 that overhangs the upper platen 24 and which has a vertical guideway 25 that is spaced forwardly of the standard II. it slide 26 is moimted in the guideway II and is actuated by means of a cam 21 of the wobble plate type which has a peripheral groove 28 that receives a roller 2! attached to the slide 26. The lower portion of the cam groove is flattened to provide an arcuate horizontally disposed portion 21a which serves to continue the application of gripping pressure to the platen 20 while the cam 21 makes a considerable part of a revolution. The cam 21 is attached to a vertical shaft ill mounted in the framework 24 and the shaft 34 has a gear II attached thereto which meshes with a gear 32 on a vertical shaft 33 which extends from the framework 24 to adjacent the base of the machine. The shaft 38 has a bevel gear 34 at its lower end which meshes with a bevel gear 35 on a horizontal shaft 34 mounted in the frame It. which is driven through reduction gearing in a case II from an electric motor 34.

The slide It has a vertical socket 19 which slidably receives a plunger 44 which has limited movement therein. The plunger 44 has a threaded stem 4| that projects through the closed upper end of the socket is and which carries adjustable stop nuts 42 which limit the downward movement of the plunger 44 with respect to the slide 26. The plunger 4|! has a pin 43 that slides in a vertical slot 44 in the wall of the socket II to hold the plunger 44 against vertical movements. The plunger 40 has a head 45 at its lower end and a coil spring 46 is interposed between the lower end of the slide 28 and the head 45 to normally hold the plunger 44 in its lowermost position in the socket It. The head 45 has front and rear vertical arms 41 and 44 attached thereto and the forward arm 41 carries a roller 44 that travels in the slot 54 formed in a vertical flange ll formed integrally with the platen II. The slot, 54 extends longitudinally of the platen II. the forward portion of the slot being inclined with respect to the face of the platen 24 and the rear end portion 52 of the slot being substantially parallel to the platen 2|. A counterweight 53 is connected through a cable 54 to the head 45 to normally hold the head 48 and platen 2| in an elevated position, the counterweight 53 being mounted at the rear of the standard It and the cable 54 extending over guide pulleys I! and it.

When the shaft 34 is turned somewhat less than a one-half turn from the position shown in Pig .8, the roller 29 is brought into engagement with the horizontal portion Ila of the cam 21 and the slide 26 is moved to its lowermost position carrying the head 45 and platen 20 downwardly to a position where the platen 24 is parallel with the lower platen II and the rippin bars 3 and 4 carried by the platen 24 are brought into gripping engagement with the ends of a tube overlying the platen II. As the head 4! approaches its pressure applying position, the roller 4: enters the inner portion 52 of the slot and the arm 44 engages the top of the platen 24 so that pressure is exerted upon the horizontally disposed platen through both the front arm 41 and the rear arms 44. The spring 44 serves to limit the pressure applied to the platen 24, the gripping pressure exerted upon the tube to be spliced being merely the pressure required to comm-ea the spring 46 which provides an elastic connection between the slide 26 and the head 45 that insures uniformity of gripping pressure during the splicing operation and a yieldable connection that accommodates different thicknesses of tubes.

Thebarslandiiareconfinedbetweenthe Isflangesofthegripperbarsandtheplatensupon which the gripper bars are mounted, and the gripper bars are normally held in their outermost positions by means of coil springs 51 and 88 which are interposed between the bars I and I2 and the gripper bars of the upper and lower platens.

Anti-friction bearings 59 and 80 are interposed between the gripper bars 8 and 4 of the upper platen and the gripper bars 8 and 8 of the lower platen, the bars 8 and 8 being supported on the under face of the upp r platen II by means of ribs I on'the bars that fit in undercut grooves formed in the platen II.

After the upper platen 28 has been moved into tube ripp position, the tube grippin bars aremovedtowardthecenterbarsl and llto apply endwise pressure to the abutting races of the tube ends by means of an actuating mechanism mounted in-the frame It. A pair of rear actuating arms 82 are mounted at their lower ends on fixed horizontal pivots 88 attached to the standard l8. The arms 82 are supported in substantially upright position on opposite sides of the platen II and extend through the table It. The arms 62 are actuated by means of a vertically movable actuating collar 84 that surrounds the arms 82 and has a pair of rollers 65 which engage cams 88 secured to the outer sides of the arms I! so that when the collar 84 is moved vertically the arms 82 are moved inwardly to exert pressure on the outer edges of the gripping bars. The collar 88 is carried by a vertically movable slide 81 mounted in a guide 88 in the frame 18. The slide 61 has a roller 69 adjacent its lower end which engages a cam 18 on the shaft 8..

Apairoffrontactuatingarmsll similarto the arms 82 are pivoted at their lower ends to a vertically movable slide 12 that is operated by means of a cam II on the shaft 86. The actuatn! arms II are actuated by means of an actuating collar 18 having rollers 15 engaging cams It on the outer sides of the arms II. The actuating collar I8 is carried by a slide 11 that is actuated by a cam 18 on the shaft 86. Suitable springs 88 may be provided between the arms II to normally hold the arms in their spread position so that they will clear the platen when they are lifted to operating position. The actuating arms 'II are movable from a position entirely below the surface of the table It, upwardly through slots or openings 18 in the table It, to a position straddling the outer end of the platens l1 and 28 for engagement with the gripper bars carried by the platens. The cams II and 18 are so disposed that whentheshaft I8 isrotated the arms H are first elevated to operative position with respect to the grip r bars, and then actuated simultaneously with the actuation of the arms 62 to apply pressure to the gripper bars of both platens.

The platen II is preferably of a length sumcient to accommodate a plurality of tubes to be spliced positioned side by side and it is therefore desirable that suitable means be provided to support the outer end of the platen during application of downward pressure. This supporting means as herein shown, is a vertically movable standard 8| suitably guided in the frame I! and carried by the slide 12 so that it is moved into supporting enga ement with the under side of the platen I! by the cam ll during downward movement of the platen 28 to support the free end of the platen I'I during the splicing operation. Thearmsll andstandardfl areheldin 6 retracted position beneath the table II while the platen It is being held in its elevated position so that tubes to be splicedcan be readily positioned on the table It with the ends to be spliced resting upon the top of the platen II.

The platens and the platen actuating arms normally occupy the positions shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, in which position the outer end of the platen I1 is free to receive a tube to be spliced with the splice resting upon the top face of the platen and with the body of the tube supported upon the table II. when the tube is properly positioned on the platen II, with the splice overlying the groove lie of the gap closing bar it, the motor 88 is started into operation. Upon a partial revolution of the shaft 38 the platen I8 is moved down to gripping position and the horizontal portion 21a of the cam engages the roller II to hold the platen in gripping position for a substantial portion of the cycle, which is completed during a single revolution-of the shafts 8|, 8! and I. which turn at the same speed.

In order to obtain satisfactory adhesion between the ends of the tubes it is desirable that the pressure be maintained upon abutting ends of the tube during a substantial time interval. Such time interval could be provided by very slow rotation of the cam 21, but since it is often desirable to maintain pressure on the splice for from one to several minutes, much time would be wasted during the raising and lowering of the platen 28. It would be possible to cut down the speed of rotation during a portion of the cycle but, to provide the desired speed of operation during the end portions of the cycle and the necessary intermediate dwell presents difllculties because of the great difference in the two speeds required. It is therefore preferred to provide means for stopping and starting the motor at intervals during the cycle which are timed to provide the desired interval for sinking and gripping bars into the rubber of the tubes and for aplriilying endwise pressure to the tube ends at the sp ce.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the shaft 38 carries a pair of cams 82 and 83 that operate switches 88 and 85 that are carried by brackets 88 and 81 on the standard It. As shown in Fig. 13 a switch 88 is mounted on the frame alongside the cam I8 in the path of two actuating cams 88 and 8|! that are attached to a side face of the cam 18. The switches 84 and 88 serve to stop the motor at successive predetermined positions of the actuating mechanism and the switches 84 and 85 serve to initiate the operation of timers which function to restart the motor upon the lapse of a predetermined time interval after it has been stopped. The switch actuating cams are so disposed that the motor 38 is stopped automatically when the actuating shafts reach each of three predetermined positions. Fig. 16 indicates the three positions by showing the positions with respect to the cam 21 occupied by the rollers 28 when the machine is stopped. The position indicated at S is the starting position shown in Fig. 8 where the machine is stopped by engagement of the cam with the switch 88. The position indicated at B is the position of the roller 28 when the machine is stopped immediately after the platen 28 has been moved into engagement with the tubes, and the position indicated at C is the position of the roller when the ma chine is stopped after actuation of the arms 82 and H to maintain pressure upon the contacting tube ends. The cams 88 and 88 are prefer- 7 ably mounted for circumferential adjustment on the cam 18 so that the operation of the switch 88 may be properly correlated with the operation of switches 88 and 85.

The motor 88 is first started with the platen 28 in elevated position as shown in Fig. 8 and operates until the slide 28 is in its lowermost position and the roller 28 brought to the position B, at which point the motor is stopped by the operation of the switch 88 that initiates the op eration of a timer that again starts the motor after a predetermined time interval. During the interval in which the cam 21 moves to cause the roller 28 to traverse the space between positions B and C, the earns 18 and 18 operate to apply lateral pressure to the gripping bars 3, 8, 8 and 8 and at the point C the cams 88 and 82 stop the motor and initiate the operation of a second timer that-restarts the motor after a predetermined time interval. At the completion of the cycle the cam 88 operates the switch 88 to stop the motor.

A suitable control circuit for effecting the cycle of operations above described is shown in Fig. 17.

As shown in Fig. 17, current is supplied to the motor 88 through a normally open gang switch 8I that is operated by means of a solenoid 82 that is initially energized by two push button starting switches 88 and 88 and subsequently controlled by the switches 88, 88 and 88 and two electronic timers indicated generally by the nil/- merals 88 and 88. The control circuit for the solenoid 82 is connected to positive and negative lines 81 and 88 and includes a holding switch 88 actuated by the solenoid 82 and switches I88 and IM actuated by the timers 88 and 88.

The switch 88 is normally held in a position bridging contacts I82 and I88 in a line I88 con necting the power line 81 to the solenoid 82 and is moved by the cam 82 to a position bridging contacts I88 and I88 to initiate operation or the timer 88. The switch 88 is normally open and is moved by the cam 88 to a position bridging contacts I81 and I88 to initiate operation oi the timer 88.

The push button switch 88 is normally held out of engagement with a pair 01 spaced contacts I83 and H8 in the line I88 and in engagement with a pair of contacts III and H2 in a line II8 that connects the line 81 to the solenoid 82 through the switch 88 and either of the two timer operated switches I88 and III.

The switch 88 is normally held out of engagement withcontacts I88 and H8 in the line I88. The terminal of the solenoid 82 opposite that connected to line I88 is connected directly to line 88.

The machine is started into operation by simultaneously pressing the push button switches 88 and 88 into engagement with the contacts I88, II8, I88 and H8 to cause current to now through switches 88, 88 and 88 in line I88 and through the solenoid 82 to close the switch 8| and start the motor 88. The holding switch 88, which connects the line 81 to the line I I8 through a line III, is ineiiective during the initial portion oi the cycle because the line H8 is then broken by the switches 88 and 83. It is necessary therefore for the operator to hold the two switches 88 and 88 down to keep the motor 88 operating and these two switches are held closed by the operator until the motor is stopped by the actuation of the switch 88 by the cam 82. Two starting switches are employed in order to make it necessary for the operator to have both hands 78 8 engaged with the switches until the pressure applying platen is engaged with the tubes to be spliced. This makes it impossible for the operator to have either hand in position to be caught between the platens.

The movement of the switch 88 from its D051- tion bridging contacts I82 and I88 to a position bridging contacts I88 and I88 stops the motor 88 and initiates the operation of the timer 88 which actuates the switch I88 after a predetermined time interval to restart the motor 88. The switch I88 connects the positive line 81 to the line III. The switch 88, having been released by the operator, bridges contacts III and H2 and the switch 88, having been freed irom the cam 88 just prior to the stopping oi the motor, is closed so that the closing or the switch I88 will energize the solenoid 82 and close the motor switch 8| and the holding switch 88.

The two timers 88 and 88 are electronic timers of conventional design adapted to be adjusted to vary the time interval between their energization and the operation oi a control switch. As herein shown the two timers are identical and corresponding parts 01 the two timers are indicated by the same reference numerals, Each timer has a switch operating solenoid 8 that is energized at the end of a predetermined time interval following the actuation of the timer initiating switch 88. Energization oi" the solenoid H8 is effected by current passing through an electronic tube H1. The tube 1 has a cathode II8, a grid II8, a plate I28 and a heating fllament I2I, The cathode H8 is connected to the negative line 88 through a line I22 in which is placed a resistance I28. The grid H8 is connected through a capacitor I28 and a bleeder resistor I25 to an adjustable potentiometer I28 that is connected directly across the positive and negative lines 81 and 88. The solenoid H8 has one terminal connected to the plate I28 and its other terminal connected to the negative line 88 through a line I21. The initiating switch 88 serves to connect the cathode to the positive line 81 through lines I28 and I28. When the initiating switch 88 is open the capacitor is charged by grid rectification. The resistor I28 tends to drain the charge from the capacitor, but as long as the initiating switch is open suflicient current passes from the cathode to the grid to replace the losses. When the initiating switch is closed charging of the capacitor I28 ceases and its charge begins to drain oil through the resistor I25. When the charge on the capacitor has been reduced to a predetermined value the tube III will pass suflicient current to energize the soleof the initiating switch 88 and the energization of the solenoid II8 may be varied as desired and is determined by the setting of the potentiometer m which may be adjusted to provide the desired time interval.

Upon closing 01' the switch I88 current passes from the positive line 81 through switch I88, the line II8 which includes the switches 88 and 88.

and the solenoid 82, to again start the motor.

II opens the switch It tostopthemotor. Thecamltissopositioned that it engages the switch it only momentarily andcoastspasttheswitchtopermitthesame immediately after tion of the Whilethemachineisstoppedthesecondtime full pressure is maintained upon the abutting tube ends at the splicefor a suflicient time interval to cause the ends to firmly adhere. Upon the closing of the switch III the solenoid u is again energised to start the motor II and the holding switch maintains the current through the solenoid I! after the switch ll is opened. When the revolution of the shaft fl is completed the cycle of operation is completed, the machine has returned to its startingpositiomand is stoppedby the opening of the switch I by the cam II, at which time the switches and their operating cams areinthepositionsshowninl 'lg. 17.

It is to be understood that varitaions and modiflcations of the specinc devices herein shown and described for purposes of illustration, may be made without departing from the spirit of'the invention.

What we claim is:

l. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower elongated platens mounted for movement one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable trans-' versely thereof, the opposed edges of the bars of each pair having alined thin flanges having tube engagingvfaces, a ap covering bar mounted between the flanges of each pair of bars and the platen on which the bars are mounted, springs interposed between said gap covering bars and gripping bars, and means for moving said bars in opposition to said springs.

2. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower elongated platens mounted for .movement one toward and away from the other, pairs of tu e gripping bars mounted on opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platens and movable transversely thereof, the opposed edges of the bars of each pair having alined thin flanges having tube engaging faces, a gap covering bar mounted between the flanges of each pair of bars and the platen on which the bars'are mounted, springs interposed between said gap covering bars and gripping bars, means for limiting the spreading movements of said bars, means for actuating a platen to grip the tube, and means for simultaneously moving the gripping bars in opposition to said springs to press the ends of a tube together.

3. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower elongated platens mounted for movement one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, the opposed edges of the bars of each pair having alined thin flanges having tube engaging faces, a gap covering bar mounted between the flanges of each pair of bars and the platen on which the bars are mounted, springs interposed between said gap covering bars and gripping bars, means for limiting the spreading movements of said bars, means for actuating a platen to grip the tube, pivoted actuating arms engageablewith gripping bars at I st am camllclosestheinitiatingswitchllofthe to-move the grippingbarstowardsaidgapclcsingbar.

4. A tube splicing machine upper and lower elongated platens mounted formovementone toward'andawayfrcmtheothenpairs oftubesrippin barsmmmtcdcnopposedfaces ofsaidplatenathcbarsofeachpairextendlng longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, the opposed edges of the barsofeachpairhavingalinedthinflangeshav-- ingtubefaceaagapcoveringbar mountedbetweentheflangaofeachpairofbars andtheplatenonwhichthebarsaremounted, springs interpoud between said gap covering bars and gripping bars. means for limiting the spreading movements of said bars, means for actuating a platen to grip the tube, pivoted actuating arms ble with 81 W! bars at opposite edges of the platens, said arms being movable to a position below the lower platen to permit insertion of a tube, and means for simultaneously actuating said arms to move the ripping bars toward said gap closing bar.

5.Atube splicingmachineeomprisingatube supporting bed. a stationary elongated platen supported at one end and spaced above the bed toreceiveaportionofthetubetobespliced between the platen and bed, a second elongated vertically movable platen above the flrst, pairs of tube gripp r bars on the opposed faces of the platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means applying downward pressure to the upper platen to clamp the tube ends, pairs of gripp r shifting arms extending through the bed and straddling opposite ends of the platens adjacent opposite ends thereof and engageable with said bars, means for actuating said ripper shifting arms to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends gripped between the bars, and

means for moving the gripper shifting arms at the free end of the lower platen to a position below the bed to permit insertion of a tube to be spliced'or removal of a spliced tube.

6. A tube splicing machine comprising a tube supporting bed, a stationary elongated platen supported at one end and spaced above the bed to receive a portion of the tube to be spliced between the platen and bed, a second elongated vertically movable platen above the first, pairs of tube gripper bars on the opposed faces of the platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means appbing downward pressure to the upper platento clamp the tube ends, a pair of gripper shifting arms mounted on fixed pivots below the lower platen and straddling said lowerplaten adjacent its attached end, a vertically movable support below the free end of the lower platen, a pair of gripper shifting arms pivoted to said movable support, means for moving said support vertically from a position in which the arms pivoted thereto are below the lower platen to a position in which the arms straddle the platen, and means for simultaneously actuating all of said arms to shift said gripper bars and apply endwise pressure to the tube ends.

7. A tube splicing machine comprising a stationary lower platen, a vertically movable slide above said platen, a member slidable vertically in said slide, means for limiting the downward movement of said member, a head carried by said member at its lower end, a spring interposed beassasso tween said member and slide for resisting upward movement of said member in the slide, a platen attached to said head, pairs of trans- .versely movable tube gripper bars on the o posed faces of said platens, means for actuating said slide to apply pressure through said spring to the upper platen to grip the tube ends between said bars. and means for actuating said bars to press the tube ends together.

8.'A tube splicing machine comprising astationary lower platen, a vertically movable slide above said platen, a member slidable vertically in said slide, means for limiting the downward movement of said member, a head carried by said member at its lower end, a spring interposed between said member and slide for resisting upward movement or said member in the slide, a platen attached to said head, pairs of transversely movable tube ripper bars on the opposed faces 01' said platens, a cam for actuating said slide to apply pressure through said spring to the upper platen to grip the tube ends between said bars. cams for actuating said gripper bars to press the tube ends together, and means for actuating said cams.

9. A tube splicing machine comprising a stationary lower platen, a vertically movable slide above said platen, a spring for normally holding said slide in an elevated position, an upper platen pivoted to said slide, pairs oi transversely movable tube grippers on the opposed faces of said platens, means for applyin pressure to said upper platen to grip the ends of a tube to be spliced between opposed grippers, and means a (or actuating said grippers to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends.

10. A tube splicing machine comprising a standard, a lower elongated platen attached at one end to said standard, a vertically movable slide on said standard above the lower platen, a spring normally holding said slide in an elevated position. an upper elongated vertically swinging platen pivoted to said slide, a vertically movable head above the upper platen, a supporting connection between said head and upper platen including a member on the head slidable longitudinally of the platen. pairs of transversely movable grippers on the opposed faces of the platens, means for actuating said head to press the upper platen downwardly to grip the ends 01 a tube to be spliced. and means for actuating the grippers to apply endwise pressure in the abutting tube ends.

11. A tube splicing machine comprising a standard. a lower elongated platen attached at one end to said standard, a vertically movable slide on said standard above the lower platen, a spring normally holding said slide in an elevated position, an upper elongated vertically swinging platen pivoted to said slide, a vertically movable head above the upper platen, a connecting member carried by said head and slidably connected to said upper platen. a thrust applying member carried by the head and spaced inwardly oi said connecting member for enga ement with said upper platen when it is parallel with the lower platen, transversely movable grippers on the opposed faces of the platen, means for actuating said head to press the upper platen to grip the ends of a tube to be spliced, and means for actuating the grippers to apply endwise pressure to the abutting tube ends.

12. A tube splicing machine comprising a standard. a lower elongated platen attached at one end to said standard, a vertically movable slide 12 on said standard above the lower platen, a spring normally holding said slide in an elevated position. an upper elongated vertically swinging platen pivoted to said slide, counter-balancing means for normally holding said platen in an elevated position, cam operated means for applying downward pressure to said upper platen, pairs oi transversely movable grippers on opposed laces of said platens, and means for moving said grippers laterally to press the tube ends together at the splice. 13. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower platens mounted for movement, one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof. means including a rotatable cam for moving one of the platens toward and away from tube gripp ng position. said cam having a dwell portion for holding the platens in tube gripping position, means for actuating said bars to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends. means for driving said cam, means for controlling said driving means to stop said cam while the platens are being held in gripping position by the dwell portion of said cam. and means for restarting said cam after a predetermined time interval.

14. A tube splicing machine comprising a tube supporting bed. a stationary elongated platen supported at its inner'end and spaced above the bed at its outer end to receive a portion of tube to be spliced between the platen and the bed, a second elongated vertically movable platen above the first, pairs or tube gripp r bars on the opposed laces oi said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally oi their platen and being movable transversely thereof. means for applying downward pressure to the upper platen to clamp the tube ends, a platen supporting member movable irom a position beneath the bed to a position in supporting engagement with the outer end 0! the stationary platen, means for actuating said supporting member. and means for actuating said tube gripp r bars to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends gripped between said gripper bars 15. A tube splicing machine comprising a tube supporting bed, a stationary elongated platen supported at one end and spaced above the bed to receive a portion of the tube to be spliced between the platen and bed. a second elongated vertically movable platen above the first, pairs oi tube gripper bars on the opposed laces oi the platens, the bars oi each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof. means applying downward pressure to the upper platen to clamp the tube ends, pairs oi gripper shitting arms extending through the bed and straddling opposite ends oi the platens adjacent opposite ends thereof and engageable with said bars, means for actuating said gripper shitting arms to apply endwise pressure to the tube ends gripped between the bars, a support engageable with the lower platen adjacent its free end, and means for moving said support and the pair of gripper shitting arms adjacent the free end oi the platen to a position below the bed to permit in sertion of a tube to be spliced or removal or a spliced tube.

is. A tube splicing machine comprising a tube supporting bed, a stationary elongated platen supported at one end and spaced above the bed to receive a portion oi the tube to be spliced between the platen and bed, a second elongated vertically movable platen above the ilrst. pairs of I hibegripperbarsontheoppossdfacesoftheplat ens. the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means applying downward pressure to port vertically from a position in which the arms pivoted thereto are below the lower platen to a position in which the arms straddle the platen, a standard movable with said support and engageable with the lower platen adjacent its outer end to support the same during application of pressure thereto, and means for simultaneously actuating all of said arms to shift said grippe! bars and apply endwise pressure to the tube end 1']. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower platens mounted for movement, one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinalLv of their platen and movable transversely thereof, a power driven actuating mechanism including a member having a predetermined cycle of movement, means controlled by said member during its cycle of movement for moving one platen toward the other to grip a tube, for holding the platens in tube gripping position during a portion of the cycle and then separating the platens, means controlled by said member while the platens are in tube gripping position for applying lateral pressure to said gripping bars to press the tube ends together, means for stopping said actuating mechanism while the platens are held in gripping position, and timing means for restarting said mechanism.

18. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower platens mounted for movement, one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, the opposed tube engaging faces of said bars-being knurled, a power driven actuating mechanism including a member having a predetermined cycle of movement, means operated by said member during its cycle oi movement for moving one platen toward the other to grip a tube, for holding the platens in tube gripping position during a portion of the cycle and then separating the platens, means operated by said member while the platens are in gripping position for applying lateral pressure to said gripping bars to pres the tube ends together, means for stopping said mechanism after the platens are brought to gripping position and before actuation of said lateral pressure applying means, means for restarting said mechanism after a predetermined time interval, means for stopping said gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means including a rotatable cam for moving one of the platens toward and away from tube gripping position, said cam having a and lower platens mounted for movement, one

toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means including a rotatable cam for moving one of the platens toward and away from tube gripping position, said cam having a dwell portion for holding the platens in tube gripping position, a motor for driving said cam, means operated by said motor for moving said bars laterally to apply r ssure to the abutting tube ends while the platens are in gripping position, means for automatically stopping the motor with the platens in gripping position and'beforc actuation of said bars, means for automatically stopping the motor while lateral pressure is being applied to said bars, and timing means for restarting the motor after each of said s ops.

21. A tube splicing machine comprising upper and lower platens mounted for movement, one toward and away from the other, pairs of tube gripping bars mounted on the opposed faces of said platens, the bars of each pair extending longitudinally of their platen and movable transversely thereof, means including a rotatable cam for moving one 01' the platens toward and away from tube gripp n position, said cam having a dwell portion for holding the platens in tube gripping position, a motor for driving said cam, means operated by said motor for moving said bars laterally to apply pressure to the abutting tube ends while the platens are in grippin ition, means for automatically stopping the motor with the platens in gripping position and before actuation of said bars, means for automatically stopping the motor while lateral pressure is being applied to said bars, a timer operable to restart the motor after the first stop, a second timer operable to restart the motor after the second stop, and means for independently adjusting said timers to vary the time intervals during which the motor is stopped.

22. A tube splicing machine comprising a stationary platen, a platen movable vertically toward and away from said stationary platen, laterally spaced tube grippers between said platens and movable transversely of the platens, a vertically movable actuating member, a pressure applying member attached to the movable platen and slidably engagin said actuating member, a spring interposed between said actuating member and said pressure applying member, means for moving said actuating member toward the movable platen to apply pressure through said spring to said movable platen and for simultaneously ap plying transverse pressure to said gripper bars to press the tube ends together, and means limiting the movement of said actuating member toward the movable platen.

23. A tube splicing machine comprising a tube supporting bed, a stationray-lower platen supported at one end and spaced above the bed. an

15 upperpletenmovablevertlefllytowudendewu tmmrthe lower platen, laterally Spaced and letemlly movable tube gripper bare between sold platens, means applying downward pressure to theupperpletentochmpthetubeendlmdrlof mpperehlttlngarmsextendmgthroughtbebed endstreddlmgoppoeweendportlomottbephtmlm l nssaldxripmbemmeemtor eetuetlnlseldermstoapplypressuretobubeenfl rlppedbyseldbers,andmeenetormovlngthe u'lpperehlttlngarmsatthetreeendoflhelower platenboeposltlonbelowthebedtopexmltnmovalotespllcedtubeendinsertlonotehlbeto be spliced.

MAX LEO ENGLER. ROBIRT M. WORIIAID.

The following references are of record in the meottblspetentz Um'ren s'rA'rns m'rlm'rs Number mm one 2,027,854 Breth et el Jen. 14, 1986 2,254,506 Breth et a1. Sept. 2, 1941 $272,881 Stevens Rb. 10, 1942 2.273.484

Campbell et al Feb. 17, 1942 

